Patsy “Pat” D. Spencer, our loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on February 5, 2016 surrounded by her family in Henderson, Nevada. She was born on August 24, 1931 in Deerfield, Illinois to Charles J. Bertolini, Sr. and Margaret Johnson Bertolini and the last of three siblings, Marjorie Lorraine and Charles Jr. In 1949, she married Robert E. Spencer - they celebrated 66 wonderful years this past September. Pat’s spirit is carried on by her loving husband, her daughter Nancy, her son Robert "Bobby," daughter-in-law Patti, and grandchildren Nicole, Chris and Sara, and many nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but definitely not forgotten. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Pat during her 84 years. She was a true lady to her core and she had a deep love for her immediate and extended family, close and long term friends, traveling, community work, and a passion for creating beauty through various avenues, including interior design and colored pencil artwork. Her accomplishments were many, including her first large animal portrait earning first place with the Pasadena Center for the Arts; she was recognized by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Office in 1991, for the "Seniors in Art" event for Carrousel Horse in colored pencil; in 2003, she designed the Sierra Madre float for the Pasadena Rose Parade; she was a colored pencil artist and teacher at the Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre, California; and was the President of the Southern California Color Pencil Society, 2004-2006. Her Christmas cards were always hand drawn.

Please join her family in honoring Pat by rememberingher and celebrating her fully. The family will have a Celebration of Life on April 23, 2016.

"Ever since I can remember, of my favorite holiday memories was receiving Aunt Pat's Christmas cards. When my mom explained to me that Aunt Pat drew them herself, I marveled at being related to a real artist. As a kid who loved art (but had less talent than enthusiasm for drawing and painting!), her cards made me understand that art wasn't just a kids' hobby to be abandoned for a "serious" adult career; it can be a lifelong passion and vocation. This definitely helped me to feel confident in pursuing my own artistic passion (theater) while growing up despite its lack of "practicality." I admired her very much.

I will also always admire the way Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob were with each other. I didn't see them very often, but when I did they always seemed to be laughing, touching, and playing off each other. It was a lovely sight, and something to aspire to.

Finally, I'll always treasure the little notes Aunt Pat wrote on Facebook in recent years regarding our son, Elliott. I wish they could have gotten to know each other. I also wish we could attend the celebration of Aunt Pat's life in person, but please know we are sending our love to Uncle Bob, Nancy, Bobby, Sara, and all the rest of the family.

She and I laughed together.She and I shared secrets.She and I told each other jokes.She and I had serious conversations.She and I understood each other.She and I were there for each other.She cooked meals for me when I was ill.She appreciated the meals I cooked for her when she was ill.She taught me how to draw.She had integrity.She had class.She was compassionate.She was gracious.She didn't feel good often, and we would sit in bed together.She wanted to talk some times.She did not want to talk some times and we just held hands.She told me she loved me, as I told her.She made the world a better place.She was my best girlfriend, Pat.She left a hole in my heart.She is so terribly missed by me.

"My memory goes back to around 1965 or so my brother chuck was having eye surgery. I slept over at Aunt Pat's house and came down with the mumps yikes! She treated me like her own and took care of a little sick boy with a lot of love."

"My dearest Aunt Pat, I will miss you. I will cherish our last time together, laughing at Tiffany's wedding in 2012. You and Bob were a wonderful aunt and uncle and brought much laughter into my life."

"I will miss you Mrs. Spencer! Especially your beautiful smile and the way you would roll your eyes when Mr. Spencer was giving me a hard time.I hope Mr. Spencer and your wonderful family gain comfort knowing that you are already in a better place watching over them."